TEMECULA: Miss Teen USA warns of cyber-stalking

Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf speaks during a ceremony at the Temecula Civic Center to welcome her home in Temecula, September, 20, 2013. Wolf made headlines when she talked about being victimized by a cyber blackmailer.

Itâs been about four months since Temeculaâs Great Oak High School graduate and newly crowned Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf found out she was the victim of cyber-stalking and sextortion.

Since discovering the suspect allegedly hacked into her computer and stalked her for several months, Wolf decided to take her story to the masses.

âIn the last couple of weeks I was featured on the 'Today' show, 'Fox and Friends,' 'Extra' and 'Inside Edition' among other television programs,â Wolf said. âThe Miss Teen USA title allows me to reach more people and gives me a louder voice to share my story and bring awareness to these types of crimes.â

The teenâs mom was on hand along with a small group of supporters to welcome Cassidy home at Temeculaâs Civic Center on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 20.

âWhen this happened it was absolutely terrorizing,â Mary Wolf said. âIf someone opens a hackerâs link, the hacker can then drop in a virus and start monitoring key strokes.â

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The suspected hacker has been tracked down by the FBI and the case is currently under investigation, Mary Wolf added.

âAccording to the FBI, I was one of 12 other cyber-stalking victims this person targeted,â Cassidy said. âI believe most of the victims including myself were underage when we were stalked.â

Cassidy said the suspect took photos of her changing clothes, walking to and from her bathroom and other private moments. She said when she didn't comply with his demands he posted the photos of her on various social media websites.

âThis whole situation has terrorized me,â Wolf said. âI will always have nightmares about how my privacy was invaded.â

Wolf offered tips to thwart cyber-stalkers and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of online perpetrators.

âDelete cookies, clear your browser often and put a sticker over your web cam when you are not using it,â she said.

In addition to telling her story nationally, Cassidy wants to visit schools and educate other kids and teens about the dangers of cyber-stalking.

âI want to reach teens on a more personal level,â she said. âIt feels good to speak about this and warn other people.â

Wolf currently resides in Los Angeles where she is enrolled in the New York Film Academy at their Burbank campus.

âMy goal is to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and become an entertainment reporter,â Cassidy said. âI also want to try out to be a Chargers Girl or a Lakers Girl,â Wolf said with a smile.

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